We’re excited to announce a new blog series with key takeaways from our weekly #SproutChat on Twitter. Join us (@SproutSocial) every Wednesday at 2 p.m. CST to discuss social media and community-building topics. We often partner with influencers in the industry and cover everything from user-generated content to agency best practices to building a brand ambassador program.

This past week’s topic was Instagram Search & Explore. Instagram has quickly become a main player among the most popular social channels. The quality of the content, along with the innovation of the features within the app, makes it a great place for brands to tell their stories and connect with their community. The more recent updates to search present a great opportunity for brands to creatively reach a wider audience. Using a trending hashtag or adding the location to appropriate posts can help your brand’s visibility.

What’s more, you can find people and brands to connect with using these same features. The curated collections are a great spot for inspiration and an opportunity for your brand to be included if you can provide quality content in line with the theme.

1. Develop a Hashtag Strategy for a Cohesive Feel

Organizations of any size and from any industry can take advantage of Instagram trending hashtags, as long as they do the necessary research and start with strategy. Understanding what the hashtag is about and why it’s resonating should be the first step, followed by finding a clever way to use it in your established strategy.

A1) Make sure you know EXACTLY what the trending hastag is – it gets confusing. #Engagement could be about SM or weddings #Sproutchat

2. Use the Location Feature to Increase Reach

The advantages of the location feature aren’t limited to brick-and-mortar businesses. Brands can use it when employees are attending conferences as well as to gain insight as to what is important (i.e., what they’re posting images of) to people when in attendance at certain spots.

3. Experiment With Different Tactics to Understand What Resonates

The amount of hashtag usage on Instagram is up to each organization. It’s important to see what excites and entertains the people in your community. Try different tactics to tell your story and get individuals to take action. Be creative and come up with fun hashtags that suit your brand’s voice well.

A4: No idea. Important to have hashtags that will let you be found by fans and potential customers, not just random people #SproutChat

Join Us

If you have any other thoughts about Instagram Search & Explore, leave them in the comments below. Otherwise, see you Wednesday at 2 p.m. CST for #SproutChat, as we discuss some fascinating industry and global trends based on the recently released 2015 Sprout Social Index.

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Published on August 03, 2015

Sarah Nagel: Sarah Nagel is the Senior Manager, Brand Advocacy & Community at Sprout Social. She heads community building initiatives as well as Sprout’s advocacy program, Sprout All Stars. Sarah is a champion for empowering passionate and enthusiastic customers and believes in the huge impact an engaged community can have on an organization’s bottom line. Outside of work, she loves taking on home renovation projects, spending time with her husband and two rescue dogs and making the best guacamole you’ve ever had.

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